Feature

Hookah Bar by Justin Merriman


Courtney VanHorn, 18, of Plum (left) and Kristen Erosenko, 19, of Monroeville spoke at The Sphinx Cafe, a hookah bar in Oakland, on Thursday evening, September 4, 2008. More than two in five college students have smoked tobacco from a waterpipe or hookah, and researchers are concerned because a third of those students otherwise would have been tobacco-free, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study.

Hot Weather by Justin Merriman


Christopher Wyant, 10, of Latrobe enjoys the cool mist from a misting area at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium on Monday afternoon, as many braved the high heat to head outdoors to many area attractions.

Seussical by Justin Merriman


Rachel Piecknick, 11, (left) and Kaleigh Mace, 10, (right) both 5th graders at Boyce Middle School in Upper St. Clair take a break from their "Seussical" rehearsal on Monday afternoon.

A Religious Affair by Justin Merriman


John Wittmann, an employee with Wade Heating and Cooling, works on the scaffolding in the fellowship hall of the Smithfield United Church of Christ, Downtown on Friday afternoon, September 7, 2007. The church which was badly damaged in a New Year's Day fire has been fully restored and will re-open with a special celebration this Sunday.

Escape from the heat by Justin Merriman



TOP: Marisa Jendrasik, 16, of Springdale isn't bothered by the hot weather, as she splashes in the Boyce Park Wave Pool on Wednesday afternoon, as temperatures once again reached the 90 degree mark. BOTTOM: Joslyn Rankin, 21, of Turtle Creek gives her daughter, Joslyn Rivera, 2, a kiss while cooling off in the Boyce Park Wave Pool on Wednesday afternoon, as temperatures once again reached the 90 degree mark.